Interview With Markus Damone of AllFurRadio

By Bixyl Shuftan

Recently, I met up with Markus Damone, the founder and owner of the AllFurRadio station. Although AllFurRadio is considered an Internet Radio station, it did get it's start in Second Life. After about four years of operation, it closed with the intention or reopening later. In  August 2017, the station would reopen and quickly regain a following inside and out of Second Life. Among it's shows is "Two Vixens and a Wolf," which the Newser wrote about in July.

We met up at at the All Fur Radio Club, which is still under construction, in the FnF AFMedia sim. Although incomplete, the two-story club had a number of furnishings, such as dancepoles and nearby seats, a DJ booth on the first floor, and more.

When asked about where did he first hear about Second Life, Markus answered, "Oh wow.  Um it (was) early 2006, and I did a Google search for free MMOs and it was the only one on the site that was actually free. The ad showed a picture of a goth chick kneeling, and I was like 'sure why not?' Plus it stated you get free in-game currency weekly, like 100 Lindens. So it was like win-win."

Once inworld, "Well, I was a little unimpressed. But then I found the search function, and was like 'Oh hey, furries. I know those things.' I met a fur in Luskwood as I was wondering how to get more Lindens to buy my furry avatar. After the help, I was able to have a little more fun, hitting some casinos, doing some club contests, and after about a month I had my first furry av. After that, I was hooked."

I asked Markus where he first got the idea for a music station. He askered, "I found Furnation and the radio station there. They paid money, and I was like 'Hey I can be entertaining on the air.' So I joined. But my third show, the DJ manager was very rude and disrespectful. So I said, 'You know what, I can do this better.' That was about April 2006. So I started AllFurRadio." But his initial performance was basically a trial run for what lay ahead, though a highly successful one, "The first time I opened up AFRadio  it was packed. Though it was short lived due to the lack of money to buy a streaming server.  But the first airing of it, there was about 80 listeners.  And i knew then that if I had ever gotten the money up (front), I would do it again. So after a day and one airing, I shut it down and went back to work with the station I had came from."

Markus would continue working for someone else for about six months. About then "Several of the DJjs with that station who had became DJs because of my shows came to me complaining. When I heard their talk, I reached out and was like 'Well, I have this idea I did before, and it was great then. I am sure it will be great now.'" They restarted in October 2006.

The reboot in Markus' words, "was like an explosion.  I hit the air with a stream, and before I knew it we had 12 DJs and a battle for Furnation had began between us and the previous station we worked for.  The listener counts peaked and it grew fast and aggressive." The first year was a great success, as was the second, "The first year we hit peaks in the 100s and then we did a live show at Anthrocon.  And  that only peaked us more. Soon we were in all of Furnation. Then we were the official station of Lost Furest, then ZZ Studios, and so many other sims and location began to stream us when they didn't have a live show.  It was fast and crazy."

And they had some inworld locations on sims, "We had several. Our main branch was based in Furnation Kitsune as a dojo.  And then we setup small stations all around.  Furnation also set their Furnation Prime station, and I built a second one in the Ryder sims.  The idea was to make there be a place everywhere that AllFurRadio was." But they eventually closed down, "slowly. That was because the sims ended up going down, and they never got used. We had such a presence in all the sims we broadcasted in that we didn't need to pay for a location. It was just given to us for use. So we would have random shows in the middle of sandboxes because we could.  It got to the point that we had no need for them. No one used them. So I shut the places down to reallocate the money elsewhere."

It didn't take long for their listenership to spread beyond Second Life residents, "Our first convention is when we really started to spread outside. along with starting a branch in Furcadia.  And it was rather successful." But there was one development that dropped their numbers inworld for a time, when the Voice option was added to Second Life, "I started realizing that we had more listeners on the page than in-game. And it was mainly due to Voice being so new. And yes, sadly the moment Voice was enabled in SL, our numbers dropped. Everyone would rather voice with each other then turn the stream and and listen to us."

The station would recover those numbers soon, but from outside Second Life, "by the time that had taken full swing, we had already (been) down several conventions. So a large number of the base was outside of Second Life, (and) had never even heard of SL. And since there is no voice chat in Furcadia, we still increased. So overall, the base in Second Life dropped, but outside it increased.  We also found that the listeners outside of SL listened longer, and were less likely to stop listening in exchange for something else, because at that time, there was nothing else furry related on the net."

The station would have it's challenges over time, "We had  several.  Some DJ would say something and p*ss another off.  The worest though was what helped lead to the station closing   It detailed with one staff member getting so mad, I cant even remember what for, and he convinced the general manager to leave AFradio's Furcadia branch  and all the DJs as well. Overnight the station went dark. This was in March 2011. ... The station closed down." Markus told me real-life matters were part of the reason for the closing, "I had just become a father, (and) I was working crazy hours." He did make one attempt to reopen it a year later, "but it wasn't going to happen."

But in September 23, 2017, AllFurRadio officially reopened, "It was welcomed  and to my surprise many were happy to see if back." It was successful from the start, though Markus credits the "Two Vixens and a Wolf" radio show by Svetlana Snowpaw, Roxy Noir-Snowpaw, and Greigh VonGottreich,  "I was finding it hard to get broadcasters, and when they came along their excitement and enthusiasm was what I needed to refuel the fire. And yes, their show attracts a lot of new listeners each show. It's the entertainment furs want, not just  playing music like a Second Life DJ, but doing a real show that is professional in nature. They showed me what I had forgotten and what I was missing, that excitement, that passion, that form, the time I had lost due to all the things that had slowed down the station."

When I asked about what special event was being planned to celebrate the anniversary of AllFurRadio's reopening, Markus told me although officially it reopened in September, the real reopening was a month earlier, "That's the funny part. The opening was in August, so we ran as soft opened for the time. Our celebrated reopening date was August the 10th 2018. So this day to be honest will just (be) spent with the staff.and enjoyed with each other and our hard work thus far."

And what are the future plans for the station? Markus answered, "More cons for one. We are also opening up our other branches: AllFurMedia and AllFurNews.  Allfurmedia is schedule to be fully open sometime at the beginning of the year with the sitcom "Are You Furreal." AllFurNews "is suppose to be mainly about furry events. Right now, we are working with a contributor,  The Furry Times, and getting them setup as well looking for other correspondence and contributors. We are working on a lot of different things. Thinking of SL shows. full animation. live video, but most of this is in the infancy."

And what do his real life friends and family think of his radio station? Markus answered, "My wife does, and my mother-in-law are both co-owners.  In fact, I met my wife from one of my DJs back when I first ran the station." Second Life and the station had worked out well for him, "Indeed it has. To always for the best, but always great in the end."

A year after AllFur Radio's official reopening, Markus and his station are doing well.

Bixyl Shuftan

Interview With Frolic Mills

Frolic Mills is a name which has been known in Second Life media for most of it's history. Known as Juan Delgado in real-life, for several years he was the owner of  the "Best of Second Life" magazine, a publication with an emphasis on Fashion and culture. In December 2013, he suddenly announced while addressing the audience at the Miss Virtual World Pageant that he would soon be transferring control of the magazine and retiring. Recently, Frolic agreed to talk to me about his time at the magazine. We met up at his lodge at Bonaire Country Club Boulevard.

"Welcome Bixyl," Frolic greeted me with a smile, "Please take a seat as soon as you rezz." I thanked him for the invitation, and complemented his place before starting the interview.

"To begin with," I asked Frolic, "how did you find out about Second Life?"

"I saw an advertisement on TV," Frolic answered,  "and I was already playing in other virtual environments, so it was an easy jump for me."

"How did your first days go?" I then asked.

"Just like yours," Frolic mused, "lost as lost can be! But I communicate well, so I was a question maker machine! Anyone I saw, I would jump on. They were the good old newbie days and I do treasure them."

"Did anything stand out as particularly memorable?"

Frolic's answer was a surprise, "I was raped by green monster on my first day. About a week later, a friend of mine opened the 'PENIS FOR FROLIC FOUNDATION.' And believe it or not, in just a few hours people at some disco got together and donated enough money for my first private member! I knew I was gonna stay in Second Life forever!"

My response was to raise an eyebrow, then chuckle, "Well, you certainly found a way to turn around something that would scare the begeesus out of many." After a pause, "How did you get the idea for doing a magazine in Second Life?"

"At the beginning of 2007, when I rezzed, it was very hard to get much info on anything," Frolic reflected, "There were only two magazines inworld. One was about women's fashion, and the other was PORN! (very lovely by the way. So when I started discovering all the great things Second Life had to offer and the work of many artists, I decided I needed to share the information." Frolic smiled, "That's how the Best of Second Life came about."

"Heh, did it start out as a fashion magazine?"

Frolic shook his head, "No it was never a fashion only magazine. We covered the best of Second Life in all areas: from architecture to furniture to sims to fashion - we did it all!"

"How did it go in it's first days."

Frolic handed me a notecard from a recent magazine article, reminiscing about Best of Second Life's first days. He had written about his first cover photoshoot with Raven Pennyfeather. The Grand Opening event thrown for his publication, he had written as dozens of Second Life's top content creators arrived, he felt like, "Everyone we considered fabulous was there and I was nothing but a newb with a very ugly magazine."

"Heh, it does read like the opening went a bit hectic," I told Frolic, "but as the past seven years have demonstrated, it obviously went well."

"Yes," Frolic reflected, "seven magical years!"

"What was your favorite subject to cover?"

"The whole point of BOSL and my biggest joy was to discover new talents on the grid," Frolic answered, "But it also turned into a fantastic platform to help out models and charity events. I really enjoyed it all."

"Sounds good. Besides your first week, which topics you've covered have been the most memorable?"

"I got to interview Mr. Philip Linden! That was probably my most memorable," Frolic thought for a moment, "but we also did a story on DURAN DURAN which became our most read magazine ever!" he smiled, "that was very exciting."

"I'm sure that was an interesting place to cover," I told him, "I don't suppose anyone connected with the band ever came on while you were there?"

Frolic looked back at the coverage with pride, "Oh yes! Nick (Rhodes) did a concert live once (from there)."

"That must have been something," I commented, "there have been a number of tribute bands, but the singer himself behind the avatar ..."

"It was a huge story," he told, "even Linden labs placed the cover of my mag on their Facebook page that month.This was no tribute band, it was themselves." He reminded me that the article was from August 2011.

"Sounds like you've had quite a busy seven years." I told him.

Frolic smiled, "Busy and fun."

"I imagine," I then changed subjects, "I recall it was at the Miss Virtual World pageant in which you announced you had made the decision for someone else to run the magazine."

"Yes,correct," Frolic kept his smile.

"I imagine that was a tough decision."

"Well, yes and no," he answered, "I think it's important to know when to retire." He paused momentarily, "I have so many new games I want to play. I played editor, and I believe I won for seven years!" He smiled, "maybe it's time for me to start playing something else."

"So time to write about something else," I asked, "and leave Second Life to someone with a fresh perspective?"

Frolic smiled again, "Exactly."

Bringing up the publication's new owner, "I imagine you had a number of people interested in filling your shoes."

"Well," Frolic thought for a moment, "the first advise I gave to the new owner was to not try and be me. Many tried and all failed. I told her to do things her way and under her own vision. I hope she really does that."

"I'm sure she will," I assured, "What was the second?"

"Oh, I don't remember the second one." Frolic then laughed, "Who remembers the second anything?"

I chuckled with him, "Heh, ... About the new owner, Reign Congrejo, what has her experience in Second Life media been, for those who don't know yet?"

"She and I met during the 2011 Miss Virtual World Competition," he told me, "And she then opened her own Color Of Couture pageant, so she knows what it is all about. She also worked for another magazine many years."

"So now that you're officially retired from the magazine," I asked, "what do you plan to do in Second Life and elsewhere once you've had a while to rest?"

 "No idea just yet," Frolic smiled, "but I will tell you my mind is spinning rather fast! When I get there, you will know."

"Care to tell us what games you're goofing off in at the moment?" I asked with a chuckle.

"Well, I took some time to decorate this place," Frolic answered, then smiled, "I love my retirement lodge. It's filled with elements from the past that are very special to me."

I complemented him, "can you tell about a momento or two?"

Frolic pointed to the table in front of him, "The ballerina in front of me is my favorite sculpture of all time! I got her in 2008."

I looked at the statuette, made by Unreal McCoy, "Nice."

"The poinsettias were custom made for me last year, and they became a best seller for the creator." He again smiled, and looked towards the door, where a number of photos were on the wall, "the pictures behind me tell quite a story. In one of them I am with my Second Life son. Anyways, a very special place for me."

Frolic handed me another notecard, one of his last editorial of his magazine.

I've been thinking for some time now what I can possibly say to all of you about my reasons for making this decision. None are easy, none came without deep thought and much responsibility. You see, for nearly 7 years now BOSL & CO has been my dearest friend, companion and by far my biggest joy in Second Life. So why sell it? I can honestly only answer with the truth: With everything that is going on in Venezuela, I need to focus on my real life work and my health, but also there is one confession I need to make. I have given BOSL every little bit I had and have fulfilled every dream I ever envisioned in publishing and as an advisor to some designers, builders and models in Second Life. After all these years, I have seen everything I ever dreamed of, and perhaps it is the right time to bring new energy to BOSL.

I had two choices: One, to completely delegate BOSL and hope for the best, or two, turn it over to a new person who has the willingness, the enthusiasm and the fresh ideas to carry BOSL & CO forward.

When a dear friend expressed her interest in purchasing BOSL I knew my answer had been found. A great RL executive indeed, a person who has proven herself beyond any reasonable doubt inside Second Life, but most importantly someone who has been close to my organization for many years, and was even a participant in MISS VIRTUAL WORLD. She understands the purpose of BOSL and I truly believe she will continue to deliver a fantastic body of work under her new vision. I looked at the card, " 'With everything that is going on in Venezuela, I need to focus on my real life work and health.' Did you want to add anything to that?"

Frolic shook his head, "It's just what it is."

"I'm sorry," I answered.

"BOSL took way too much time, and I am done with it." he added.

It was about this time that the interview was coming to a close, "Did you wish to add anything, Frolic?" I asked.

"I am all good," he smiled.

We both thanked each other for our time, and I tipped my hat and went on my way.

I will be busier in Real Life, but I will continue to log in to SL as much as I can and knowing me, I will probably find a third life. Where might this new life lead me?, I don't know, but you are all welcome to play with me when I get there.

This marks the end of an era for me, this will be the last time I produce MISS VIRTUAL WORLD, THE BEST OF SL January issue will be my last magazine. But I wanted to tell all of you what this world has meant for me. Never in my entire life have I been happier to come to work day after day after day for nearly seven years now. While most people drag themselves to work, I actually had to drag myself away from BOSL. I suppose I've had my share of fame and awards and recognitions, but for me what has been the most important treasure are my friends and my beautiful staff who remained with me through thick and thin. I have friends and staff members who are still with me since 2007! Along the way I also picked up many others that have enriched my life in every possible way. You all know who you are.

Through it all, your words of love, support and encouragement have been my pillar of support not just this year but for all the year's past. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for giving me this inexplicable wonderful and beautiful life.   

Bixyl Shuftan

Interview With Pooky Amsterdam Part Two

By Bixyl Shuftan

For Part One of the interview, Click Here. 

When I interviewed Second Life media personality Pooky Amsterdam last month, she had quite a bit to say about her experiences. We soon ran out of time, and agreed to meet up the next day. The following evening, she invited me over to the set of "The 1st Question" in the Sci-Lands.


Arriving at the place, it was of course empty except for the two of us, Quite different from when it was bustling with avatars during shows. She invited me to sit at her desk, at the co-host's chair.

Pooky Amsterdam: "I know there's enough room for your tail, Hydra sits there. … That was one thing I had asked for when the set was redesigned - Please leave room for Hydra's tail."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Yeah, distracting as heck if it's cramped (grin)."

Pooky Amsterdam: "Heh (grin), gotta know that. … What are you doing at RFL this year?"

Bixyl Shuftan: "Covering events here and there mostly."

Pooky Amsterdam: "Woohoo! Well, that makes sense. … Great, and it is all for a great cause. The help, and the personalized help this Relay gives is something pretty amazing. The way people who have cancer can find help, I mean that too. Fay Foley said to me that there was a woman who was afraid of needles. She couldn't burden her family with her fear of pain as it were. And well, her doctor didn't understand, but it made her very reluctant to seek treatment. And by talking to people here by being able to open up and come out on that to express it freely with those who understand - well it helped her beat that and she got the treatment and help she needed."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Let's see, … the Time Travelers show … "

Pooky Amsterdam: "It's like a traveling band of troubadors who create modern music in the past dimensions. Okay, not true. It's a different story, the troubadours."

Bixyl Shuftan: "You once had a different idea for the machinma?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "More than once. I have new ideas all the time."

Bixyl Shuftan: "How did the idea for the machinima arise?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "It came from discussions I was having with Dr James canton of the Institute for Global Futures. We had been talking about how great it would be to use SL for a studio set and to do a series. He was doing some work with the SLFC & iHelp student Loan. The idea of three teens who travel to the future and meet their older selves and a battle for the Good Singularity came out of these talks. They came out of discussions … about the importance of college education and what what kind of skills kids will need in the future what kind of jobs and enterprise there will be and how they need to equip themselves. We both have daughters in their early 20's too. And of course the futuristic builds and the natural sci-fiction feeling that you are in another world here, well these things contributed too."

Bixyl Shuftan: " … you had a daughter?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "Yes she is 20. I am truly grateful to have this amazing young woman in my life. The greatest joy is being her mom."

Bixyl Shuftan: "What does she think of Second Life and what you do here?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "She has come into SL but didn't have the desire at that moment to plunge on in. She is in college so that does take a lot of focus and time. She thinks it's kind of cool and she also has done the voice of Mariah in the Time Travelers too."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Oh, she has?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "She is more interested in the other side of the screen though, I think right now. Yes she has. I play the older Mariah, and she the younger."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Oh yes, I thought I recognized the voice. (grin)"

Pooky Amsterdam: "(I'm) not always easy to hide (grin)."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Time Travelers is still a series in progress. About how long will it take to finish?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "Well, we are on episode 6 now. It's a very long episode about 12 minutes. This might take us about 4 months or so. The entire series, I am not sure. We might extend it to some things about futurism and the Singularity onto the web and through social media."

Bixyl Shuftan: "You've done a few other videos, including a parody of "Date Your Avatar." (Link)

Pooky Amsterdam: "Yes we have done a bunch of films indeed. I saw Date Your Avatar when it was at 398 hits."

Bixyl Shuftan: "I don't recall another video of yours based on another. What inspired this?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "Well, I'm seeing the film and I had two very distinct thoughts. One, they had missed an opportunity to not use actual avatars. And two, 'Date your avatar?' Hahhahahah! I'm too busy to date your avatar."

Bixyl Shuftan chuckles

Pooky Amsterdam: "So then I saw myself at this desk actually, and I'm getting business deals and have to do things professionally for the show, and then I have a date and 'oh gee I just cant make it tonight' with the opener. The concept kind of was there. It was Draxtor Despres whose genius in film making and ability to embrace all kinds of elements, well it was a great collaboration, including a musician he knows called Samuels Dream."

"It was something that we worked on, and really captured something great, the loneliness and alienation of fame, the pressure as well, the need for love the plaintive cry, and the tines. Some of the things would evolve as we shot them, which isn't our usual style really, things are pretty well laid down in pre-production and the filming takes the shortest amount of time so this was something that did have a life of its own."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Yes, it did get attention among the residents."

Pooky Amsterdam: "Yes. and became a meme in a way too. …That was the first film I collaborated with Drax on where he was director. I had met him in NYC during the last state of play and knew the minute he said hello, he had to be the voice for Dr Occam. We were just casting 'Shrink Wrapped' then."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Oh really?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "(I)love working with him, and we have gone on to other films.  He shot the 'Troubleshooter 2' for Sclera Designs. and of course we worked on the 'Flufee on a Meshion' series." (link)

Bixyl Shuftan: "Oh yes, that proved to be a hit."

Pooky Amsterdam: "Loads of fun."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Did you expect to do so many videos of Flufee?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "Well, I knew there would be (more) Flufee Episodes. I don't have to have scope on something like that. It was great to do. I guess I didn't, but was pleased the reaction was so positive. And that of course makes you want to do more. We were invited to show 'Monster Mesh' at the New Media Film festival. so it will be there actually this summer."

Bixyl Shuftan: " 'Doing the Monster Mesh' (grins)"

Pooky Amsterdam: "Heh, that film I actually do look at a lot. It makes me laugh."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Heh heh, I imagine loads of residents were."

Pooky Amsterdam: "That is a film that I also think has a very good crossover feel.  You don't have to know what Second Life is, or game engines, or machinima. It's an entertaining film. And in the end that is the goal, to make something that stands on its own."

Bixyl Shuftan: "With the possibilities of Second Life mentioned so much, I imagine you've thought of the SL10B coming up, the tenth anniversary, not to mention it's theme, 'Looking Back, Looking Forward.' "

Pooky Amsterdam: "Yes I have. I'm hoping we can do a '1st Question 'edition for it or a special like a 'Yay Me or Nay Me' the SL way, and have some things on Second Life as the content for the questions. It's going to be pretty interesting. If the residents and people who know and love the grid had been supportive of Linden Lab and Second Life over the years in a kind of joyous unison, I think that would have reflected well on the grid. The folks who are in here are the ones who know more and more firsthand what being a resident means, although not perfect. I have tried to portray SL to others in the light I find it, incredibly creative and compelling a true learning experience."

"I hope that people will reflect in the greater press on what the positives are. I think in the end it will draw more people and opportunity than the dishing and negatives one can find. But of course, its a free press and should be. In no way would I say not speak of what is important, but … I wish that people would have that broader thinking cap on of how is this really going to appear to those who aren't my next sim neighbor. Just my reflection on it, but I love Second Life and I do think that machinima is a great ambassador."

"I don't need people to love SL, or come here or accept me for wanting to live a virtual life. I just must have the films look great.  I do think of Second Life as my nation though, and will defend it. It's funny, but we all learn so much about ourselves in here, and also what we are capable of in terms of work, in terms of the work we do for love, and it has been inspiring to the greatest degree to meet the people I have here, including people who are definitely my lifelong friends, and of course the people I work with too."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Besides finishing up 'Time Travellers,' what other plans did you have in the future?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "My past future plans? My present future plans? or my future future plans? 'The future is happening baby.' "

Bixyl Shuftan: "Well, all of them if you like."

Pooky Amsterdam: "In the past, like if there was no SL in my life, I really have no clue. Funny isn't it? I try to think what would I have been doing? I don't know. Maybe (I) would have started back doing some stand-up comedy. I had been a regular at the 'Comic Strip' In New York City. Would definitely have been writing no matter what."

"My present future plans are of course to produce more films and keep working in the professional way we do. We might be doing some videos for a new app actually. The principals have seen our work and we are working on some new material for this project. I feel honored to be working with these people. I can't really say more - it's hush-hush. The opportunity to have the work be called so original, and to have a company like this want to use us is great though. So I see real growth here."

"We have also another 'Vector Control' film out in the fall. It's finished, but the district asked us not to make the film public until they launch their educational program around it. So, well thats exciting!"

"I am working on a book on Virtual World Television with Carrielynn Reinhard. That is going to be pretty incredible too. We interviewed over 3 producers. It is about TV production in Second Life for a number of reasons too. The IP rights, the free tools of creation here, the talented residents, and the inworld networks. No other place has a comprehensive environment as this. We are going to be also talking about the very early days of Virtual tv with something the BBC had going in the late 90's called 'Inhabited TV' where the audience, those watching, could also participate in the program. It is about how TV has been co-opted within the virtual world universe."

"It will be fascinating I think, and with all the second screen discussions now. Well Bix, you know I think the future is 'What are you doing on TV tonight Honey?' Not who are you texting during it, or are you watching on Hulu, or Netflix. It's profound, the kind of work that so many producers have done in SL. I think what we are doing is the Grail for the (mainstream media) in many ways."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Interesting thought."

"Might the 1st Question reappear soon in regular episodes?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "I have had to scale the show back recently this year, as we have gotten so busy. And the book has been also consuming time. The show takes about 20 hours a week to produce, write and book. So right this moment, I cant say when. But I do want to continue it. I also want to put out the 'PookyPedia,' the lexicon of words."

"The show is constructed very tightly and the script for it has to be written, well you know that. Hee hee."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Heh (grins).  Well, it's getting late. Was there anything else you wanted to add?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "How grateful I am to be working with some of the greatest folks ever, people who bring humor and hard work ethic to everything, that know the human effort this all takes and how great they are. I would thank them all, Robwag Soothsayer, Russell Boyd, Petlove Petshop, Emo Wei, RIchard G Roberto, Draxtor Despres, Claus Gahrn, Rysan Fall, Lapiscean LIberty too and the great folks who do the voiceover work. RIcky Grove of course not only for his star turn in Zanzibar, but for being also a great inspiration and friend.  I would also thank him for asking me to be Programming Chair for the Machinima-Expo last November."

Pooky Amsterdam: "You know Bixyl, it takes people who know you and are motivated and want to make something greater than ourselves happen. We are able to do this also because, make no mistake, we find each other. And we learn and we grow and we achieve together. It's been the best place on Earth for me many a night and day. And in fact in some of the darkest nights, as well as brightest dawns. … It's like I have found my tribe here! Here are folks who see what the possibilities are, and want to make something really wondrous."

"And the shopping isn't too bad either. Woahahhahahahahhaah!"

Bixyl Shuftan chuckles, "Yeah, no other shopping experience *quite* like in Second Life."

Pooky Amsterdam: "Totally, and that expanding closet known as inventory, well
[01:33]  Pooky Amsterdam: it really works. Though one of my favorite words in PookyPedia comes from Harper Beresford: 'Inventoil.' "

Bixyl Shuftan: "Heh, I have a guess that that means."

Pooky Amsterdam: "Which is, of course trimming your inventory in one of those not too busy moments of Second Life which never really lasts long."

 Bixyl Shuftan: "That pretty much covers all the questions I had, Pooky, thank you.  I'll have the Interview up soon."

Pooky Amsterdam: "… I hope its interesting for people to read. … We all do our things, 'dance like no one is watching.' (grin)"

"Bixyl thank you, and please let me know when it's on the webwave!"

Pooky Amsterdam's personal blog is at http://www.pookyamsterdam.com/ . Her company, PookyMedia, has it's website at http://www.pookymedia.com/ . She is also on Twitter and Facebook. And of course she can be seen at events at Second Life, giving an occasional discussion about social media, future technology, and other subjects. Expect her at the SL10B event.

Bixyl Shuftan

Interview With Pooky Amsterdam: Part One

By Bixyl Shuftan

Pooky Amsterdam is a leading figure in Second Life media. She's known for her machinimas and shows on Second Life television, notably the game show "The 1st Question. She also gives talks on occasion about digital media and it's future. Recently I had a chance to meet up with her for an interview.


Our meeting place was the set of a future video of hers, a space station. There were a few alien critters around, although Pooky stated they were for energy, "Nothing says futuristic like (an) electric jellyfish inspired power source. I think these will look uber-cool on film. … I love this environment so much." She showed me around a little, "it also conveys so much … I love being able to combine elements for the real punch of the fantasy/sci-fi element. … It is amazing to me that we take for granted, really, all this rich visual creativity and the desire to understand the next tech as well."

Pooky Amsterdam: "I find that (the) people of Second Life have a different viewpoint of what is possible, and I think it's because we literally do and see the impossible all the time. Sometimes I am reminded of that great line from Auntie Mame, 'Life is a banquet and most poor bastards are starving to death.' We are not starving, not for visuals and creative expression. It really makes and keeps us vital. Think of how your life has been enriched by this life. I know I would not have been the 'same person' in many senses if I hadn't come here."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Oh really?"

 Pooky Amsterdam: "Although I always had an interest in sci-fi and the future, being part of this really pushed me, pushed me to become confident and more capable with of course new tools (and) new tech. I went to the talk on Oculus Rift and zSpace technology at Avaya today."

Bixyl Shuftan: "How did it go?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "There we are about 30 folks and all of us from everywhere in the world can see something that is like just released to developers. That's insane! It was amazing! There will be ways to truly interact with something that is in 2D on the tablet and pick it up with like electronic chopsticks and it becomes 3D so you can turn it all around. That something like this is possible for us to see so ahead of the pack and the curve. Tech which will take a while to become part of the mainstream. It's a thrill. And with the future, thinking folks we have met. I respect very much the fact that we are in a special place and time here."

"Anyway you know me - I'll talk, but If you like I can answer questions too (smile)."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Well, to begin with, how did you find out about Second Life?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "Well It was at the 2003 State of Play conference in New York City. It was a pretty seminal conference actually. I met Phillip Rosedale and Robin and Cory. Philip was presenting actually, and I was there the day he announced IP rights. I was given a CD rom of Second Life. It wasn't downloadable just yet then. Having experience in virtual worlds, I was able to handle the demo part there. But not having a PC (I had only amac in those days) I couldn't run the program."

"A  few years later when I was trying to get a virtual world going for people above 30 with an emphasis on doing programs, TV shows, game shows, book clubs, debate, etc, I came back to SL to  be able to understand what would be "the compeition" for the site I wanted to build. I didn't last long, only one day in 2006. But then I returned for good in March of 2008 when a variety of things made me stay here and set up more or less permanent stakes. So I knew of SL for awhile really, but only became a member of the daily grid in March 2008."

Bixyl Shuftan: "And what happened then?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "I had been studying virtual worlds and a lot of research into them. I followed Temis and got into the IGDA reports on gaming and knew there was a great potential for branded experience in virtual worlds. Plus I had had 5 years of producing shows  on another virtual platform. I produced hundreds of shows, including a talk show."

"I came here for a marketing conference and met people who would become part of my future.  Bevan Whitfeield was my mentor. She was very helpful and really made this possible for learning how to navigate and look as I wished.  Lee Ponzu was a great friend. He gave me a safari hat,and indeed I used that years later in 'A Year In The LIfe.'  Of course Paradox Olbers would be one of the greatest influences and inspirations. We met on Arthur C Clarke's death day, and he invited me to spindoem and Cypress was playing. (His) brother had a stuffed toy named Pooky that the loved, so I was immedately feeling all in the family here."

"Paradox said 'I wish that more people could come here,' and I said 'Well I could put on a show.' And he said 'What do you need?' And I said 'This place, same time every week a few hours,' and he said okay. I learned from him about how the Sci-lands were formed, and I was so impressed with him he became in a way my guru. I also met Robwag Soothsayer, who I have spoken to everyday of my Second Life. Without Rob, none of this would have been possible. He really showed me so much and is so talented. So I am grateful for the people I met at that juncture."

"Rob thought I only wanted to put on one show; hahahhahha!"

Bixyl Shuftan: (chuckles)

Pooky Amsterdam: "Anyway, he is a great builder, and so savvy. I had the show going within six weeks. And then RacerX said to Wiz Nordberg 'You have to see this show.' And they did come and well , offered me a place at treat."

Bixyl Shuftan: "So what show was this?"

Pooky Amsterdam: " 'The 2nd Question' it was called then. Over the next year or so I think we would be asked to eliminate the SL or 'second' reference form all the shows, asked by Linden Lab (due to) trademark. For me, it was easy. From the second to the first is a step in the right direction. For the hockey association it might not have been as organic. And the network had to change from Second Life Cable Network to treet.tv."

"I really saw how different and powerful having an audience-involved show was. I was able to produce a science and tech show on a weekly basis. It is a powerful tool of creation on all levels, and Hydra Shaftoe I was very very lucky to find. i also met Hydra that first fateful week."

Bixyl Shuftan: "How did you meet him?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "Oh through Bevan. It was his rezday or a party for him. She invited me, and he was so charismatic. Something about him made me think, 'this guy has the right stuff to co-host a show.' He said to me, 'You could be a model.' Woahahhahahahhah! And I said, 'I ace a better idea I think.' He really is brilliant and funny, and just the chemistry was so good."

"Kat2 Kit was also a very early friend and he agreed to open the show."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Yes, I remember him. A performer and artist."

Pooky Amsterdam: "Yxes Delacroix was incredible with sound. She worked with us for a long time. And then Petlove joined the production team. Emmo was also of course becoming more and more of a part of the show, and he eventually took over the tiny wrangling, which I was really happy to see as the show opener. Alexa Stuart and Drusilla Poliatevska  joined that."

Bixyl Shuftan: "So Emmo came up with the idea of the Tiny show opener?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "He choreographed them over time, yes. We had had Kat open the show before alone, sometimes driving a flaming helicopter through a hula hoop, or his pogo stick through a flaming hoop, or the battle with Mr Potato Head on a trampoline."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Heh, a flaming helicopter?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "Things got crazy at times, yes. Woahahhaha!"

Bixyl Shuftan: "Heh heh."

Pooky Amsterdam: "We had Edsel Heinkel for a while, opened with music too. He wrote our theme song. He was  an engineer at Bell Labs, and then also a guitar player and song writer, and bam! We gots a theme song. I mean, it was great. The ineraction though, it's about what you are doing on tv or in a tv-like environment. And I came to see that this is the future, the real future of entertainment, authoring it ourselves. Being on the edge of our seats and tips of our fingers."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Yes, it certainly seemed a lot like a real-life tv show, including the live broadcasting."

Pooky Amsterdam: "Yep. And you cant kibbitz with the show host on Lettermen or Fallon you know. It is a different and dynamic thing to be part of a live show."

Bixyl Shuftan: "What were some of your favorite moments of the 1st Question?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "Anything to do with bacon. (grins) Loved the moments the two minutes before we went live - the excitement, the calm before the show. (Be)cause when you are live, you are driving a train at full out speed. (I) loved  peoples' reactions to the 'Yay Me or Nay Me's, how crazy funny that was at times. Loved the words that people made up too. When Hydra said Bubbaliscious for the first time, that was incredible. Having Curious George on the show, that was amazing, a man of his knowledge. Troy Mcluhan anytime he was on the show."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Where did the idea for that come from, the made up words?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "Hmmm, well I wrote the show you know, and came up with all the segments. The Word - Up, well I love making up words and I had an idea that we have our own *lingua franca*, our own language of the grid. And it was something we tried. I wanted people also to be able to vote in real time.  figured everyone has a made up word in them. And yes I will get the PookyPedia out! I swear!"

Bixyl Shuftan: "ha ha! (grin)"

Pooky Amsterdam: "(laughter) So that segment served two purposes: real time voting and made-up words. When the show went from an hour to 30 minutes, I asked a lot of folks what segments we should keep, and Word-Up was always a favorite."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Did people ask for a shorter show?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "No, it wasn't from the audience. It was from a watching point of view, not for the real time audience. They weren't happy, they liked an hour to be honest. No game show is an hour though, not in real life. Not outside of immersion."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Whom were the most interesting guests?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "That is a hard one. There have been almost 400 people who were on the shows over the years. Gina Schreck was great; damn woman was hilarious! Crap Mariner was great. Lauren Weyland too."

"Will Wright was just an amazing person to have on. There I felt we were in a future completely. You know, this man had created the Sims, and was (then) playing as an avatar in SL in realtime, etc. It was pretty hot that. I really enjoyed having Patio Plasma on. Patio is an incredible person. Pathfinder Linden. Cybergirl Oh Irealy enjoyed on the show too. Draxtor Despres, of course! Sol Bartz who is in real life Phil Rice, he got the most points ever I think."

"I mean, we are a pretty amazing population, folks all the time pushing the possible. We are linked with one another as avatars, and I do feel we are brothers and sisters under our skins in very profound ways. I really would be hard pressed to say favorite guests. Everyone was incredibly special. This isn't an easy question by any means."

"Solidspace Merlin deserves a mention, though he was never on the show. But he was someone I could ask 30 minutes before air time when the person who is supposed to be in seat number 2 goes missing. I would IM him on occasion and he would say 'you know, let me ask so and so.' I mean someone like that is a life saver. We did always, usually, mostly, often, have an emergency person to slot in but … "

Pooky Amsterdam: "I went to a meting recently for a film project we might do, and one of the principals saw 'The 1st Question,' and was really impressed. He used the word 'it's smart but ironic.' "

Bixyl Shuftan: "Ironic?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "Well, the show had irony, yes. I loved the irony in the show, and was really so pleased this man, a complete stranger to SL would pick up on that. The conundrums of modern life and human version 1.0."

Bixyl Shuftan: "What were some of your favorite bloopers on the show?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "Oh gosh! In a live show, the bloopers are great. That feeling of the live element. Sometimes the wrong person would be given points and I'd get an IM saying, 'He doesn't deserve that point, that was my point!.' And I loved how people were so involved in that. Right? Like it really mattered. It was so engrossing that it was and had to be, a fair show, an honest show. Truthful in all aspects, that meant a lot to me. Once a quote was disputed, did May Lou Angelou say that or Coach Ditko? And I thought 'this is hilarious, two people couldn't be more different.' Woahahahahahha! And with fierceness - hey that isn't right its her! No its him! Okokok I said, they had a separated at birth moment. And you know it is funny, but we are very universal a species."

"The worst blooper though was the what I call the tiny show. Raglan Shire came to the show."

Bixyl Shuftan: "What happened?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "Teal Freenote was on. And there was no way that every tiny there we had, about 50, weren't voting for her. And well, she won Word-Up of course, but lost the overall show due to a technicaliy. I think the lag caused the buzzers to glitch. And well, she didn't win. And the next thing I know, Karma is on the desk threatening my life. It was pretty insane. They went nuts. And I had to publically apologize and also change the voting boxes to Teal in her forever memory."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Oops."

Pooky Amsterdam: "We had a great ongoing party in there, space tag after the show. There were some really fun parties. We auctioned off f the Hydra seat once and that made a buttload of Lindens. But the show was about providing great content for people, value, connection you know. And actually through it I came to also know Carriel Lynn."

"When I spoke on the topic of virtual tv at SLCC I began researching and found this great writer who had covered Metanomics. And I quoted them more than once. I found out they had an avatar and invited her on the show. She is an assistant prof of new media studies, and we began talking off course and well, we are currently working on a book project: VWTV - Virtual World TV. The experience I had with the 1st Question and the Dating Casino got me here. And also there are so many talented producers of shows. There are 56 shows that we have covered and over 30 show producers from Second Life over the three networks. Dr Richard Bartle will write the forward too."

"I really do not know what I would have been doing without Second Life. My ability to be part not only of the present but now of the future through this book, as well as the electronic legacy I'll leave behind has only occurred because of this place. I mean who knows, 'what if' or 'what if not.' but I do know that I am very lucky and so very grateful for the people I have met here. And I also think we all embody that notion of paying it forward. And I'm going to keep doing that too."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Yes, you have done quite a bit besides the 1st Question: the Dating Game, a number of video shorts, and the Time Travelers."

Pooky Amsterdam: "Yes! And the Public Service Announcements too."

Bixyl Shuftan: "The mosquitos?"

Pooky Amsterdam: "I'm thrilled to be able to show people  this great environment, but even more to help them eradicate pestilence! It is so much. It's the dream from the first film we did Beer Break to having a meeting in real life with someone who wants to launch a product and has seen our work and says that is incredible stuff. It's unnerving, and cool, and amazing looking, and we want it for our video marketing. We will working on something  new soon too."

It was at this point Pooky had to go. So we went our separate ways for the time being. We would meet the following night for Part Two of the interview: Click Here.

Bixyl Shuftan